“By default, I’ve become the face of the party”,says Sheikh Hasina’s son in an interview
Days after his mother’s removal from office, Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told NDTV that he might consider returning to Bangladesh and leading the Awami League if the party’s members desire it. In an exclusive interview on Friday, Mr. Wazed shared that his mother does not wish to live in exile and is keen to return to Bangladesh. He emphasized that Sheikh Hasina had planned to retire after her last two terms as prime minister but did not completely rule out a potential return to active politics.
Mr. Wazed revealed that he spoke with Ms. Hasina recently, and she has no current plans involving visas or asylum. Instead, her primary desire is to eventually return to Bangladesh, either to retire or possibly reengage in politics, as it is her home and she dreams of retiring in her village home in Tungipara. At 76, Ms. Hasina has long wished to retire from public life, he noted.
When asked if this meant Ms. Hasina could reenter active politics, Mr. Wazed, who lives in the US as an IT entrepreneur, suggested that she is the best person to address such questions. He described her political career as driven by a commitment to her country rather than personal ambition for power. Mr. Wazed also mentioned that she had encouraged him to join politics before each election, but he and his family have never sought political power.
Prominent figure within the Awami League by default
Regarding his own potential involvement, Mr. Wazed acknowledged that he has become a prominent figure within the Awami League by default.
“I suppose, by default, I’ve become the face of the party at this moment,” Sajeeb Wazed said. “I never sought this role and have no political ambitions, but when I saw that our party leaders were being attacked and their homes burned, I couldn’t just leave them. I’ve been in contact with many party leaders, and almost all our ministers’ homes, including our ancestral home, have been destroyed. Given this situation, I will do whatever is necessary. The Awami League still has tens of millions of supporters and is not going to disappear overnight.”
Decision Lies with the Workers
Wazed expressed confidence that the Awami League could win future elections due to Sheikh Hasina’s development record. He emphasized that the party is democratic, and leadership decisions will be made by its members. “If Awami League activists demand that I step in, I will consider it. The party’s direction will depend on the members’ decisions. If they want Ms. Hasina to lead, then she will lead. We are a democratic party, and it’s up to the members to choose their leader.”
Criticism of Interim Government
Regarding the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Wazed criticized its legitimacy. He claimed that the interim government lacks a mandate and that elections should be held within 90 days as per the constitution. “The interim government hasn’t attempted to communicate with us. Their recent statements reflect a failed approach from the past. They were appointed by a small minority, possibly with foreign support, and lack popular mandate. This unconstitutional, hand-picked government should prioritize holding elections as soon as possible,” he asserted.
When asked if his mother would return to Bangladesh to face any potential charges, Sajeeb Wazed stated that she has nothing to fear.
“During the last military takeover, they arrested my mother and put her on trial, but she was acquitted of all charges. She is not intimidated by such threats. If they attempt to prosecute Sheikh Hasina again, they will find out the outcome. My mother has not committed any illegal acts or wrongdoing. If there are individuals in our government who have acted unlawfully, those are the ones who should be held accountable, not my mother,” he emphasized.
